Fever head to New York for preseason opener with focus on rotations, health, and evaluation
After five days of camp, Indiana is in New York for its preseason opener as Stephanie White evaluates rotations, newcomers, and a healthier roster.
Good afternoon and welcome back to Fieldhouse Files.
It’s been a busy, productive week full of interviews and evaluation with the Indiana Fever. Don’t worry, Pacers fans — I will have plenty of content for you soon.
The first week of a season is a combination of information and interview overload, combined with a curiosity for what this team may look like — from players’ offseason development to rotations, minute allotment, and playing style.
Are you ready for it?
After five days of camp, the Fever departed Indianapolis Friday afternoon headed to New York for their first of three preseason games. This is their only one on the road.
“I like the fact that we have three preseason games, just to get a sense of what a game flow is going to be like, what healthy bodies get a sense of where we are from an endurance standpoint and a substitution pattern standpoint,” said Stephanie White, who enters her second season as Fever head coach (again). “So it’s just as much for us as coaches as it is for players.”
The coaching staff approached Friday’s practice like they would the day before a regular-season game. There was some film review and game-planning before they took the floor. However, because it’s an exhibition game and minutes will be more evenly distributed, they did more live play than they normally would before a game.
White plans to give everyone some minutes at Barclays Center vs. New York.
“Want to try to work some rotations, some combinations, see what they look like on both ends of the floor — making sure we start to find rotations that can be as good on the offensive end, equally as good on the defensive end,” she said.
“We’ll probably run it very similar in the first half, and then in the second half, kind of get people some minutes.”
White knows what the returning players look like, though it’s been almost a year since she’s seen them all on the court together due to injuries.
“You can feel the excitement,” said guard Lexie Hull.
“It’s good to get live reps, game reps, get a chance to really understand how the warmups go, what makes you feel good, what makes you feel ready for the game.
“And then in the game, I’m sure we’ll mix up the lineup so we’re building chemistry out there with everybody. But ultimately, it’s to win. I think there’ll be a lot of competitiveness first preseason game of the season.”
Who, among the newcomers, has jumped out in camp?
“I mean, honestly, all of them,” Hull said. “I’ve been very impressed with their willingness to learn, willingness to take feedback, ask questions. They’ve gotten better every single day. And I think that’s just, they came from great college programs, great college coaches, and they’re excited to be here. And I think you can really tell that.”
That’s encouraging. And you could tell in the Fever’s approach to free agency that they weren’t just looking for talent, but fit. They valued the unselfishness of last year’s group, chemistry that refused to break even as things went dark — and player after player went on the injury report. Almost 20 different players saw action last season, including a few who joined late from overseas.
Saturday’s game, which will be televised nationally on ION at 3 p.m. ET, will be their first test. But let’s call it more of a quiz. It’s without consequences and it’s to get them prepared for a strong 44-game season. Opening day isn’t until May 9th.
Like the Fever, the Liberty are among the favorites to win it all come the fall. Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Satou Sabally & more. This team will be a real challenge because of their talent and size — with the majority of their players being at least 6-foot.
The Fever are a smaller team, especially in the backcourt. They want to play fast, run at every opportunity, share the ball, and for players to confidently shoot open shots without hesitation.
For the rookies and newcomers, White told them to be who they are. There’s a reason why the Fever wanted them in camp.
“We expect that there’s going to be some nerves,” she said. “We expect that there’s going to be a little bit of scatteredness to everything that they do. But be who you are. Have fun. Enjoy this experience. It’s a preseason game.”
🗓️ Preseason Dates
Sat., April 25 at New York Liberty | 3 p.m. ET
Thu., April 30 v Dallas Wings | 7 p.m. ET
Sat., May 2 v Nigeria Women’s National Team | 7 p.m. ET
Click here to watch every interview from media day.
News and Notes
Indiana made several new staff hires centered on player health. More on that soon.
Kelsey Mitchell, who was one of a few players in the league to sign a supermax ($1.4M) contract, is a sneaker free agent. She’s previously worn Nike, including on Day 1 of camp. But on media day, she wore Tyrese Haliburton’s signature Puma shoe and continued in camp.
Notable to me that GM Amber Cox has been the front-facing member of the front office.
Former WNBA coach Dan Hughes was a guest at their first practice.
WNBA legend Cheryl Miller, now an analyst for NBC, attended practice on Thursday.
The league is celebrating its 30th season this season. Remarkable to consider how on Friday, it marked exactly 30 years since the NBA Board of Governors announced the approval of a new league. Click here for that press release.
Plan accordingly for Opening Day: The team is planning to host parties on the plaza, outside The Fieldhouse at Morris Bicentennial Plaza, beginning after Game 1 of the season vs. the Dallas Wings. It’s a free party with live music, themed drinks, games (like yard pong, corn hole, Connect Four), plus drinks and food on-site.
The other five dates planned: May 30, June 12, June 20, July 19, Aug. 8.
The Pacers’ schedule is down on the Schedule Wall — and the Fever’s 2026 schedule will be up soon.
Caitlin Clark is Healthy and Ready to Go
It’s been more than nine months since Clark last played in a WNBA game due to injuries. Being in multiple camps with USA Basketball, then playing in five games at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament (and being named MVP), was significant because entering the final month before training camp, Clark could turn the page.
The final leg of her offseason could become about getting better and prepping for the season rather than about rehab and recovery, which she did more than ever before.
